"We are negotiating with Manchester City over defender Joleon Lescott," said Besiktas director Ahmet Kavalci.

However, it is believed that City manager Manuel Pellegrini does not want Lescott to leave this month as his side fight on four fronts.

Pellegrini's side are still in the League Cup, FA Cup and Champions League, and the Chilean boss wants his squad to stay as strong as it can as they continue their assault on the Premier League.

Captain Vincent Kompany has just returned from injury and Pellegrini does not want to weaken his defensive options by letting Lescott go - even though it is likely that he will leave in the summer.

Thursday's Manchester City transfer gossip and rumours from other newspapers and websites

City are reportedly closing in on teenage starlet Chidi Nwakali. The 17-year-old central midfielder is due to fly to Manchester from Nigeria with his parents to hold talks over a switch to the Etihad, according to Goal.com.

The report claims that the versatile Nigerian will earn around £300,000 a year at City when he turns 18 on Boxing Day 2014.

Nwakali played alongside former target Kelechi Ihenacho for the Nigerian Under-17 side that won the World Cup in November

City were also keen on Ihenacho, but the teenager now looks set to sign for Porto.